John Egan

Articles

As players in the building business hunt for ways to save time and money, one innovation is emerging as a key instrument in the design and construction toolbox. Building information modeling (BIM) technology

How’s this for asleep-at-the-wheel marketing: A new study indicates that just 22% of all calls to apartment offices that are captured by voicemail or answering services are returned within 48 hours. And just 56% of the calls to those offices during business hours are answered by an on-site employee.

The 9/11 attacks in Manhattan and Washington, D.C. led many building owners and managers to upgrade their security protocols and systems. Surveillance cameras, lobby turnstiles and other high-tech security measures became commonplace features within many large properties.

Nine firefighters died June 18 while battling a massive warehouse blaze in Charleston, S.C. Investigators discovered the Sofa Super Store warehouse wasn’t protected by a fire sprinkler system – nor was it required to be. The warehouse was built before building codes ordered installation of fire sprinkler systems; experts believe that an automatic sprinkler system could have contained the fire.

For at least 20 years, U.S. firms have outsourced real estate functions — from space planning to landscaping — as a way to concentrate on their core business. But now, many top firms are taking outsourcing further, using service partners to help them grow, and locate or manage new workplace facilities.

Major projects initiated by former President Bill Clinton and CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. should propel efforts to retrofit millions of square feet of existing commercial and government buildings with “green” technology. But experts note that multi-tenant buildings may be laggards in this green wave.

SAN ANTONIO – Office construction should enjoy continued growth in 2007, but tighter lending standards may dampen the office market and other commercial construction sectors in the latter half of this year and into 2008, according to the latest McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook forecast released at the American Institute of Architects’ annual convention this month.

DENVER — At office and industrial buildings around the country, heating, cooling, lighting and equipment take a big bite out of facility budgets. Buildings account for roughly 40% of total U.S. energy consumption, experts say, while energy makes up 28% of a building’s overall operating expenses.